what to do with reception kids during half terms and school holidays???

[ryedalema]

I put this in the classifieds but think it's probably better here - sorry FRM!!! :)

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Does anyone know if there are any 'leave the child there' activities that run in half terms and holidays around here? Am only just starting to explore this so apologies if it's obvious and I'm clueless :)

It's for our 4 year old #1 daughter who is at Goodrich reception (don't know if that's relevant).

My OH and I work f/t which wasn't a problem at nursery - but we sort of need to try and find a daytime solution for at least a couple of days (during half term) and a couple of days per week during holidays..

Really love your help with this xxx

[Helen GV]

I'm sure some childminders will have space, especially if they have term time only contracts with parents? Otherwise check with the school, I'm sure they will know of holiday programmes running locally.

[whirly]

Gumboots usually do a holiday playscheme - they run in Goodrich and East Dulwich Community Centre on Darrell Road.

[ladywotlunches]

Southwark also ran a holiday playscheme in the Summer. Not sure about the half terms, but this year it was at Ivydale and Oliver Goldsmiths schools.

There's also Scamps - pricey, but great fun for the kids. Again, I think this just runs in the 'full-term' holidays.

Also, if you can take a couple of days off, how about arranging a swap with other parents at the school in the same position?

[Mellors]

There are half term holiday camps that do full days at both Crystal Palace Sports Centre and Beckenham Spa.

[womanofdulwich]

best bet might be a sixth former.

[savage]

Jags sports club provide a number of different options during half terms & other holidays. My son really enjoys multisports. It runs from 10am until 3pm and costs ?25 (i think). I think they also do tennis & football camps.

Their website hasn't been updated with Oct half term yet, but it gives you an idea of what will be on offer.

http://www.jagssportsclub.co.uk/Holiday.asp

Kate

[Nanny Penny]

Hi PMed you

[EDmummy]

It's what we end up using our A/L for so hubby and I only end up spending two weeks a year off at the same time. Unless you can find a holiday time nanny, you'll probably end up with a mixture of 'child swapping', holiday clubs (although much less suitable for little ones) and working from home days - child goes to club between 10-3 so you can do some work, then finish up once they have gone to bed. It really is difficult and exhausting and such a shame there are not more reasonable costing options. Heaven forbid if you are a single parent trying to work it all out!

[nunheadmum]

Depending on the nature if your LO, it may be worth thinking now if any of the holiday clubs are extensions of after school or weekend clubs - that way you could maybe take them along for some shorter sessions before any long days in the hols or simply to familiarise themselves with the staff. I know my daughter would really freak if I tried to take her to something totally new - no matter how much I know she'd love it. Doing it with a friend would help too.

But when they're young, doing swaps with other classmates / friends is probably as good an option. Generally I'm happy for my LO to have a friend over as it keeps her entertained better than when she's on her own - so other parents may be more willing than you'd think.

[Goodliz]

YOu could speak to Dave Small who runs the after school club that Whirly mentions and see what their plans are for the half term. Incase you do not know, it is right by the reception classes in the Lythgoe building hall.

The cost of it is very reasonable. Otherwise there is Holiday Drop Off at Dulwich College (I think) and Scamps. Plus the childminders etc. Good that you are planning now as it can be a right panic.

[Pickle]

If it's only a couple of days, why not approach parents of friends in her class and ask if they'd be willing to look after her for a day?

As a stay at home parent it would be no bother at all for me to have one extra child for a day during half term, so if you could find someone else in the same situation I'd be happy to have her for one of the days :)

[MummaB]

My son has just gone into year 1 at Heber - so last year was our first year of trying to manage with all the school holidays! It went well though but was quite a transition from nursery.

I tend to take half terms off but we also managed through play dates and kind parents from school and colleagues that don't work full time for the odd days.

I used Southwark Council play scheme over Easter (Dog Kennel Hill) which is about ?56/week for full time (I needed the hours of 8am-6pm and had priority booking through working at King's). During the summer I used New Gum Boots on Darrell Road mentioned above which cost ?22/day and runs 8am-6pm.

Both were fine and my son enjoyed it.

Friends of mine have used other clubs around here but they were too expensive and/or the hours didn't suit my long days.

My advice is to plan ahead - it all works out somehow (Good luck!)

[JAGS Sports Club Team]

JAGS Sports Club will be offering a variety of sports courses throughout the October half term, with the introduction of longer hours this holiday. 5 day courses and daily's in multi-sports and soccer academy will not be 9am until 3.30pm to full in line with school schedules.

Please find the schedule for October half term attached.

For further information or to book any space please call the club on 0208 613 6500

Many thanks

JAGS

[Artastic]

Hi there,

Artastic are running a Half Term Halloween Day Special

on Wednesday 26th October 9am-4pm

This is a fun filled day creating scary halloween decorations, gresome face masks, terrifying trick or treat bags and horrifying aprons.

We will be using a wide range of materials, tissue paper, paint, oil pastels, string prints, glitter and much more.

It will be held at The Scout Hut 212 Bellenden Road, SE15 4BY

It will be ?25 for the day

Feel free to ask me any questions

Kind Regards

Annabelle

07792549874

[email protected]

(There will be no sibling discounts given.

To book your child's place, payment needs to be given in advance, you can drop in but you will be at risk of being turned away due to the limited amount of places on offer)